Proprietary container construction



Aug. 9, 1938. R. wlsHoN l 2,126,150

PROPRIETARY CONTAINER 4COIISTRUCTI/ON Filed Feb. 25. 1955 l Maen.

Patented Aug. 9, 1938 UNT sa Ralph Wishon, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Decapiteau Glass Containers, llnc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of illinois Application February 25, 1935, Serial No. 7,935

12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in proprietary container construction, the invention being highly desirable for use in connection with non-reflllable bottles and other containers of glass or other breakable material, although the invention may have other uses and purposes, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the distribution and sale of proprietary liquids and compounds, especially beverage liquors, extreme difficulty has been experienced assured of the authenticity of the bottled beverage he may purchase. However, illicit dealers of bottled products frequently acquire authentic bottles from second hand dealers, refill them with a substitute product, nearly always inferior in character and oftentimes extremely dangerous to the consumer, in simulation of the original contents of the bottles, restore the external appearance of the bottles, and sell the bottles and their contents as original products of a manufacturer.

In the past, many and various types of bottles and other containers have been developed in an effort to assure the purchaser of the genuineness of the article he buys and to check the aforesaid illicit practice. In most instances, such endeavors have been directed along the lines of developing proprietary or non-reillable containers. These containers were non-rellable, not in the literal sense of the word, but the construction was such that after once having been opened, the original appearance of the container could not be restored.

The more preferable way of insuring the authenticity of bottled products is to provide such a container that the product cannot be removed from the container prior to a definite and permanent mutilation or destruction of a part of the container. Heretofore, various types of bottles or containers have been developed with a neck portion constructed so that a part thereof must be broken off before the cork or other closure member can be removed from the bottle. However, all of these devices of which I am aware have been subject to certain objections and unsatisfactory characteristics. For example, certain of these prior developed containers were so constructed that it was extremely difficult to effect a clean break in the neck portion, with the resultant danger of fragments of glass or other material being consumed with the contents of the bottle by the purchaser. Also, these devices were objectionable in that extraneous instrumentalities were essential to effect an opening of the same, and in still other instances, the containers could not be machine made due to peculiar structural formations, such as interior undercuts. Present day commercial manufacture of containers for liquid beverages and similar products for economical reasons demands, as an essential, that the container be capable of machine manufacture rapidly and in large quantities.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a proprietary bottle or container having a breakable neck portion, with means associated in the construction to insure a clean break.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a container of the character described herein, wherein adequate means for the container are associated with the construction and no extraneous implements are essential for effecting an opening of the container.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a proprietary bottle or container which may be machine made or manufactured and which necessitates a mutilation or destruction of the container prior to the opening thereof.

Still a further object of this invention is the provision of a proprietary bottle or container of a character requiring a breaking of a part of the container prior to the opening thereof, and which may be made on standard conventional container making machines with practically negligible alterations in the machines.

It is also a feature of this invention to provide a proprietary bottle and closure construction, the bottle having a breakable neck portion which must be broken off prior to the opening of the bottle, with a cork or other closure member seated in the neck portion and interiorly spaced from contact with the neck portion immediately adjacent the region of the break.

Still a further object of this invention is the provision of a proprietary container having a breakable neck portion and means associated therewith for effecting breaking of said portion, and means embodied in the construction insuring an application of pressure in such a direction as to effect a ready, clean break.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a closure member designed to prevent the use of a cork screw or similar implement, and which may be readily or easily assembled and associated with a container.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a proprietary bottle construction including a 1 and the bottom of the groove.

breakable neck portion containing a cork-like closure member, which member projects beneath the line of break of the neck portion in a firm seating engagement, the construction being such that after the breaking off of a part of the neck portion, the closure may easily be removed by' the fingers of a user.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been hereinabove pointed out, others will become apparent hereinafter.

The invention includes these and other features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and shown in several forms in the drawing, as more particularly indicated by the claims.

On the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a proprietary bottle construction embodying principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line II-II of Figure 1, with parts shown in elevation.

Figure 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary side elevational view seen from` the left hand side of the structure shown in Figures 1 and 2, with parts removed.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, part vertical sectional, part elevational view taken substantially as indicated by the line IV-IV of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the construction immediately after the breaking of the neck portion of the bottle.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Figure 'I is a fragmentary side elevational view, with parts removed, of a container neck illustrating another modified form of the invention.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary central vertical sectional view of the structure of Figure 7, the view being taken with the structure disposed in the same position as seen in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the structure of Figure 'l as seen from the right hand side of Figure '7.

As shown on the drawing:

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, there is seen a container I, shown in this instance in the form of a glass bottle. It will be appreciated, however, that the container may be of any desirable shape or form and made of any desirable breakable material. The container is provided with a preferably integral hol low neck portion 2 which functions as a mouth for the container and through which the container may be filled and the contents removed therefrom.

The present construction necessitates the breaking off and removal of the upper part of the neck portion 2 before the contents can be removed from the container i. To this end, the neck is provided with a pair of adjacent annular beads 3 which may be continuous around the neck portion or made of spaced annular segments as may be deemed most desirable. Between the beads 3, the neck 2 is provided with an annular groove 4 preferably of a V-shape flaring outwardly and preferably with the walls of the groove forming an angle of degrees or less. Disposed within the groove 4 is a flexible tension member 5 of such a diameter as to lie substantially half way in the depth ofthe groove; namely, within the confines of the beads 3 and with a reasonable space between the tension element This tension element may be in the form of a cord and can be made of cord such as bankers cord or of wire, if so desired. As indicated more clearly in Figure 2, the end portions of the cord 5 are preferably twisted as at 6 and then the ends are secured in any desired manner in a gripping member The gripping member normally depends from the container, as seen in Figures 1 and 4, and when in use for breaking the upper part of the neck 2, the element is moved to horizontal position, as seen in Figures 2 and 5. It will be noted that with such a construction, a twisting of the gripping member 'l results in the contracting or tightening of the cord around the bottle neck substantially in the manner of a tourniquet.

To aid in applying pressure by means of the cord 5 in the proper angle to insure a definite, clean break of the bottle neck, the lowermost bead is preferably provided with an integral raised lip l preferably disposed diametrically oppositely to the twisted portion 6 of the cord. The inward slope of the upper face of the lip is preferably disposed at a less angle from the horizontal than the side wall of the groove 4 from which the lip rises. This results in a forcing of the portion of the cord immediately over the lip against the upper surface of the groove at a point opposite the horizontal pressure from the twist 6. Consequently, when the cord is twisted by means of the gripping member l, the resultant pressure upon the bottle neck is not in a horizontal plane relatively to the neck but is slightly at an angle thereto, resulting in a clean, definite break of the bottle neck.

In the interior thereof, the neck portion 2 is preferably provided in the upper part with a relatively large bore S terminating in a downwardly sloping shoulder lli adjacent the plane of the groove 1i, the shoulder extending below said plane and terminating in a reduced bore I l.

With the above described construction, it will be obvious that the container itself may be readily made upon conventional bottle or container making machines with very slight alterations in certain parts of the machinery. In the first instance, slight alterations in the surfaces of the molds are sufficient to provide the beads 3, the groove 4 and the elevated lip 8. The interior of the neck portion 2 may be readily formed with the use of a single plunger, and the upper portion of this plunger, namely, the part that forms the bore 9, may have a slight taper if so desired.

Of course, the neck 2 is provided with a suitable closure. In this instance, the closure is in the form of a relatively long cork i2 of such a diameter as to seat very snugly in the lower reduced bore Il of the neck. The cork l2 is provided with a metallic cap i3, preferably of hardened steel to resist any effort towards removal of they cork by means of a cork screw or other implement. Depending from the cap i3 is a barbed prong li extending deep within the cork to maintain the cap in position thereupon. This cap i3 is also provided with a skirt-like flange i5 around the periphery thereof, this flange being of such a diameter as to nicely t within the bore 9 of the neck 2. The neck portion 2 is preferably filled with a suitable cementitious substance !6 over the top of the cap I3.

It is apparent, therefore, that the upper portion of the cork above the shoulder lll will be in spaced relationship to the inner wall of the neck, and such spacing of the cork continues below the plane of the groove 4. Accordingly, there is no interior resistance provided by the cork against the breaking action ofthe cord 5. With the only part of the closure in contact with the bottle neck above the point of breakage being the relatively short skirt portion i5 of the cap, relatively little twisting of the cord 5 results in a quick, easy snapping of the upper part of the neck portion 2, as illustrated in Figure 5.

After the snapping of the upper part of the neck portion, the broken part may readily be slipped upwardly oi of the closure member, the cord 5 obviously being readily removable after the breaking, and then the cork i2 may easily be removed by a user with his fingers. Oi course, the cork may again be reinserted in the remaining neck portion as many times as may be desired during the removal of the contents from the bottle, the shoulder it being shaped to facilitate placement of the corkin the lower bore. I-Iowever, the original appearance of the bottle or container can never again be restored so that it is impossible to :dll the container with a substitute material and resell the container and its contents as an original and genuine product.

In Figures 2, 4 and 5, it will be noted that a recess il may be provided in the beads 3 to receive the twisted portion 6 of the cord if such is deemed necessary.

In Figure 6, I have illustrated a slightly modied form of the invention wherein all of the previously described construction is incorporated. In addition, a rod-like element i8, preferably of metal, is mounted in the gripping member l so as to project radially towards the bottle neck. This rod i8 may be secured in the gripping member in any desired manner, such as being molded therein.

Upon a twisting of the gripping member together with the cord 5, the rod I8 is urged in- Wardly and contacts the bottle neck at a point substantially opposite to the raised lip 8, thereby applying the major portion of the pressure at two points on opposite sides of the bottle neck, insuring a clean, positive break. It will be seen that the contact of the rod I3 against the bottle neck 2 will prevent an immediate contact of the cord 5 with the neck in the region of the rod, thus giving what is practically a point pressure contact to aid in the breaking action.v

In Figures 7, 8 and 9, I have shown still another form of my invention. This form of the invention includes the general principles of the forms previously described herein but embodies a more specialized construction directed towards the provision of even a cleaner break of the container neck. In this instance, a container neck i9 is shown provided with a pair of spaced and complementarily formed beads 2o which extend substantially around the neck except for a space 2| (Figure 9) for the accommodation of the breaking means. The beads of course provide a groove therebetween, and in this instance this groove is not V-shaped as is the groove li previously described herein, but is preferably pro vided with a substantially flat bottom and is larger upon one side, as indicated at 22, than upon the opposite side, as indicated at 23. The part of the lgroove 22 provides more than ample room for the breaking cord 5, while the part 23 of the groove is preferably of such a size` that the cord 5 will more intimately t therein.

The cord 5 together with the gripping member 'l and rod I8 are of substantially the same construction as hereinabove described.

As seen best in Figures 8 and 9, centering means for the end of the rod I8 are provided in the form of` a conical recess 24 fronting in the space 2l between the ends of the beads Ztl. When it is desired to open the container, it is a simple expedient to raise the gripping member 'I upwardly to a horizontal position, as seen in Figure 5, whereupon the end of the rod i8 will be` centered by the recess 2d to one definite point. With a relatively intimate fit in the groove adjacent the point of contact of the rod, and a relatively loose lt in the groove in the opposite side of the container neck, a twisting of the gripping member 7l results in a very clean break of the neck.

The structure shown in Figures '7, 8 and 9 may be utilized with the: cork l2, cap i3, barbed prong ill, and sealing means i6 above 4described and in the manner above described, if so desired. However, in some instances it may be desirable to utilize two separate corks with a container embodying principles of my invention. In Figure 8, I have illustrated how two corks may be used, and it will be understood that these corks may equally as well be used with any of the embodiments of my invention herein shown and described.

In Figure 8, an upper cork 25 is disposed in the top portion of the neck. This cork is provided with the cap I3, barbed prong M and skirtlike portion l5, as above set forth herein. I-Iowever, the cork does not extend through the length of the bottle neck, but terminates just above the breaking region. Another cork 25 of any desirable kind is disposed in the bottle neck below the breaking region, leaving an open space 2l within the neck in the plane of the line of break.

When the neck of the bottle is snapped, the upper portion of the neck together with the cork 25 is thrown away and the lower cork 2t may be removed by means of a cork screw or in any other suitable manner, depending upon the nature of the cork. The cork Z6 may be replaced as and when desired consistent with the usage of the contents of the container.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a novel proprietary container construction which necessitates a mutilation of the container prior to the removal of the contents therefrom, the mutilation being a quick, clean and denite breaking of a portion of the container neck. It will be further noted that a container embodying principles of the present invention may be readily manufactured upon conventional container making machines with extremely little alterations in parts of the machinery, and it will also be noted that with the material portion of the container neck broken off, the original appearance of the container cannot be restored. If the container is again i'llled with some inferior substitute product, the remaining neck portion is so short that a purchaser exercising even a most casual degree of caution would not be deceived. It is further more apparent that the present invention is simple in construction, highly eicient in operation and economical to manufacture.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a proprietary bottle construction, a bottle including a neck portion having a groove in the external surface thereof, closure means for said bottle seated in said neck portion and extending below said groove, and a flexible member loosely carried in said groove and contractible to snap said neck portion adjacent the line of said groove, said flexible member carrying a projecting mem- .-ber for point contact. with said neck portion when Ethe flexible member is contracted. Y

@2.,In a proprietary container construction, a

`container having'a recess therein to define a line of. break,i a tension member seated in said trecess and'contractible to apply breaking pressure tosaid container, vand a structural forma- Ition on-said'container adjacent said recess Yto hold aportion of said member out of a plane normal to V-said container during operation of the member.

5.53. LIn a proprietary container construction, a container having a groove therein defined by .sloping walls to establish a line of break, a tension member disposed. in said groove and having lthe Aprotruding end portions thereof twisted to permit breaking pressure to be applied to the container by further twisting said end portions, and a portionhaving a face of different slope extending out from'a wall of said groove.

4.In a proprietary container construction, a container`having a groove therein dened by sloping walls to establish aline ofV break, a tension member disposed in said groove and having ythe protruding end portions thereof twisted to permit breaking pressure to be applied to the container by'further twisting said end portions, and aportion'having a face of diiferent slope eX- -`tending out from a wall of said groove substantially diametrically opposite to said twisted end portions.

5. In a proprietary container construction, a .container having a structural formation defining `a `line of break, a tension member around said container adjacent said line, a gripping member vholding the ends of said member for twisting said ,member tobreak said container, and a rod-like element projecting from said gripping member for vendwise contact with the container when the tension member is twisted to insure a clean break.

6. In a proprietary container construction, a container having formations thereon defining a groove whereat the container may be broken, means in said groove contractible to apply breaking pressure, a rod-like element associated with said means orendwise contact with the container when saidmeans are contracted, and said con- Vtaineralso having a formation therein shaped to guide the end of said element to a denite point .to insure the proper application of breaking presmember for endwise Contact with the container upon contraction of said member.

8. In a proprietary container, a container having a structure dening a groove at least partially therearound to define a region of break, a exible and contractible member around said container. and seated in said groove, said groove being of such size and shape that said member Vrests easily in the bottom of the groove, and a formation on said container of such shape and location as to hold a portion of said flexible member out of a plane normal to the major axis of said container while said member is being operated.

9. In a proprietary container, a container having a neck portion having an interior shoulder formation separating a bore of larger diameter on the outer side of said formation from a bore of smaller diameter on the inner side, a closure tightly fitting in the smaller bore and being loose in the larger bore, a metallic cap having a skirt depending over a part of said closure in the larger bore, said larger bore tapering inwardly to a diameter less than that of the cap skirt, and a formation on the outer side of said neck portion defining a region of break below the skirt of said cap.

10. In a proprietary container, a container havving a neck portion with an inwardly tapering bore,

a closure tightly tting an inner part of said bore and being loose inthe outer part, a metallic cap on said closure having a depending skirt in the larger part of said bore, a structure on said neck portion defining a region of break wherein the internal diameter of said neck portion is less than the diameter of said cap skirt.

li. In a proprietary container, a container having a neck portion with an inwardly tapering bore,

a closure tightly fitting an inner part of said bore and being loose in the outer part, a metallic:

cap on said closure having a depending skirt in the llarger part of said bore, a structure on said vneck portion deiining a region of break wherein the internal diameter of said neck portion is less than the diameter of said cap skirt, said region.

of breaking being above the tightly fitting part of ysaid closure, and means carried by said neck portion to cause a breaking thereof.

12. In a proprietary container construction, a container having a structural formation dening a line of break, a tension member carried by said container and Vcontractible to cause a breaking of said container adjacent said line, and a projecting element extending inwardly from said tension member and adapted to contact a small area of said container along the line of break thereof whereby said element will start a breaking of said container when said tension member is contracted.

RALPH WISHON. 

